Don’t Kill The Full-Length Album

In this age of digital downloading and music streaming services, many artists feel that the death of the full-length album is upon us. And that is 100% false!

The full-length album is still the industry standard. All major artists from Kanye to U2 are releasing them and fans are buying them. The full-length album is your resume, especially if you’re a songwriter. You are showing your fans that HEY; I can do a lot more than just write and release one song. I can put together 10-12 songs in a cohesive format with the same sound. It says a lot about where the artist is in Anybody can sit down with the awesome technology we have today and bang out a song with software on their computer. It can be uploaded to YouTube or Facebook and in just a few hours the entire process, from writing to recording to uploading, has been completed. But the full-length album says I’m serious. 

I’m here to play in the big leagues. I’m a lot more than an EP. If you plan on selling your music and doing shows, fans will balk at paying $10 for a six song EP. Give them a full-length album and don’t forget the physical product component to all of this. Sure a download  is nice, but fans want to take something home with them after your show. They want the actual CD, the tangible product in their hands. A CD with extras will allow fans to pop that into their computer and access any type of special content you want to share. Maybe it’s an interview with you, a behind-the-scenes look at your writing process. 

Whatever it is, you’re allowing your fans to step into your world, making a true connection. I don’t think enough artists are doing this.  Don’t waste your time doing an EP, especially if you’re a band. EP’s are great for bands that have a few  records out already and want to give something small to their fans while they work on something bigger.

 I know what you’re thinking. I can’t get 10 songs together that I like. And that’s OK. One option is to  create some clever remakes of already popular songs. Choose songs that work really well with your  existing style, or think outside the box and do some songs totally out of your genre putting a cool new twist on them.

The remake is important in terms of marketing. People search songs online and yours could come up which can lead them to your website and ultimately your entire album.

The full-length album is the pinnacle. It’s a major milestone for any artist and the more of these that you  put out, the better. Don’t get discouraged and feel you spent too much time and money and didn’t see a massive return. If you couldn’t sell it, if people weren’t downloading it, it doesn’t mean it wasn’t well done. There are other factors that go into the marketing of your album and we will discuss that in an Solidify your place in the business by consistently making music. The first album is the first step and it’s a major one. If you are just starting out, jump in with two feet. I believe in you!

Anthony Gomes: Electric Field Holler Review

It might be easy to sum up the latest album by Anthony Gomes with one word, “fun” but it’s so much more. While Electric Field Holler may be a record that doesn’t take itself too seriously it is by no means comedic. Electric Field Holler is a raucous celebration of blues based guitar driven rock. From the “more cowbell” intro of “Turn it up” to the joyful innuendo  of “Junk in the Trunk,”  Anthony makes no apologies. He is here to rock the house and that’s exactly what he does.

With his powerful picking attack and Hendrix on krank phrasing, Anthony’s guitar playing sounds as good as ever. He tears up lead after lead, with soulful lines peppered with bursts of shred.  He also has a great sense of melody. For instance, his solo on “Love Crazy” becomes another hook in the song (a melodic lesson in restraint). Theo Harden (bass) and Chad Cromwell (drums) keep it solid and simple and David Smith’s keyboards provide some smooth texture without ever over shadowing Anthony’s hard driving rhythm playing. Electric Field Holler also features some of the best vocal performances of Anthony’s career. He’s got all the soul of an Otis Redding on the tongue-in-cheek “The Blues Ain’t the Blue’s No More” and all the swagger of Steven Tyler on “Back Door Scratching.”

The songwriting is well crafted and to the point. His lyrics tickle your ear just as much as his guitar playing and singing. Check out the story telling in “Redhanded Blues” and “Junk in the Trunk” and the down home spiritual musings of “Listen to the Universe.”

Like many of the classic rock artists of the 1960s and 1970s Anthony joyfully blurs the distinction between the blues and rock and roll. One could  postulate that if Electric Field Holler had been released in 1975 instead of 2015 it would easily top the the rock charts and dominate FM rock radio. If you long for the days when artists like Johnny Winter and Rick Derringer packed stadiums you will adore Electric Field Holler.

The Review: 8.5/10

Can’t Miss Tracks

– Turn it Up
– Junk in the Trunk
– The Blues Ain’t the Blues No More
– Back Door Scratching

The Big Hit

– Turn it Up

Review by  Lou Lombardi